How fit do I need to be for this tour?
A minimum moderate to advanced level of fitness and agility is required to complete the hikes. The length of hikes will be between 2 km to 6 km each day, often over steep rocky sections where you’ll need at least 3-4 touch points, sturdy footwork, good balance and agility. These hikes can often be in direct sunlight and high humidity. An approximate 10 km hike is included in this tour. Embarking on hikes will be at the guide’s discretion to ensure the safety of guests. A minimum medium/high level of fitness and agility is required, and a doctor’s certificate is required for people over 70 years (30 days prior to travel).
What type of food do we eat on tour?
Most of the meals are prepared by our tour guides with basic camping-style food options and on occasions, they will be provided by our accommodation providers onsite. Dinner can be an Aussie BBQ, spaghetti bolognese or even a bush curry. Lunch is often meat and salads with wraps or burgers and Breakfast is a small continental spread to fuel you through your day. There are also snacks along the way but If you have special dietaries or food requirements, it can be important to bring some snacks of your own as options can be limited in the outback. It is important to remember how remote we are and that all food has to be brought with us from Alice Springs. Guests are asked to participate in the preparation of meals, clean-up, and vehicle unpacking/loading as it’s a great way to get to know and connect with your fellow travellers.
Do you cater to special dietary requirements?
Yes, subject to the requirement. Please notify us if you have any dietary requirements or medical conditions at the time of booking so that we have plenty of time to cater to your needs and arrange the best possible options for you. We cater for standard dietary requirements, including Vegetarian, Vegan, Pescetarian, Gluten-free and Lactose-free.
What is a suitable age for this tour?
The child policy for this tour is 8 years old and over, due to the nature of this tour, it’s not suitable for infants or children 7 years and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. A moderate to high level of fitness at minimum is required to complete the hikes involved. If you have children 7 years and under and wish to travel with us, we suggest that you might like to look into a private charter so we can cater the tour specifically for your needs.
Do I require travel insurance for this tour?
It is highly recommended that all passengers have personal travel insurance, given we’re exploring remote parts of Australia some regions have limited access to health professionals in the event of sickness or injury. Autopia Tours is not authorised to provide information on the type of plan or policy options available. This can be provided by an accredited local travel agent or from your preferred insurance company.
What is the temperature like in the Red Centre of the Northern Territory?
Red Centre weather can be unpredictable and extreme. It is not unusual for temperatures to reach 50+ degrees Celsius in the dry season, but in the evening they drop dramatically. It is important that you check the average temperatures during the time of year you will be travelling and pack clothing appropriate for the weather. Unless you are contacted by the provider, your experience will go forward despite rain or inclement weather. We only cancel tours in extreme weather conditions.
Where do we stay on tour?
We stay at Wanmarra Community or Kings Creek Station on night 1 with communal showers and toilets, private kitchen and campsite. Night 2 we have a private campsite near Mount Sonder in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Because night 2 is in a national park facilities are limited. There is a chance to wash off the day’s dust with a swim at Ormiston Gorge or some of the other gorges on day 3. The toilet on night 3 is basic, due to restrictions put upon us by National Parks but it is private and fit for purpose.
How much luggage can I bring on tour?
We ask that guests travelling on short break/extended tours bring small soft overnight bags and hand luggage only as we have limited storage onboard our vehicles. Large suitcases and oversized luggage can be left at your hotel whilst you are on tour. We will allow passengers to bring a maximum of 23kg if they are travelling in one-way directions and finishing in a different location than the starting point.
Can I bring my CPAP machine on a camping tour?
While we understand the importance of CPAP machines for restful sleep, our camping tours, by their nature, lack access to reliable electricity sources. Our permanent campsites generally have limited or no available power outlets, making standard CPAP machines unusable. Plus, our safari tents are unpowered and located away from our outdoor dining facilities. We recommend portable lightweight battery operated devices should you not be able to travel without one.
Can I keep medication cold on tour?
We travel with Ice coolers to keep the food cold and most times it is possible to keep medications chilled. We recommend purchasing a small insulated bag to put it in so that they are not contaminated by food or liquid in the “Esky”. Please let us know by email if you need to keep medications cold so that we can prepare ahead of time.
Are National Park fees included in the tour cost?
Autopia Tours includes Parks Australia fees within the tour price, this covers our guests for a 2-Day / 3-Day / 4-Day access to Watarrka and West MacDonell National Parks. Park Passes are not available for purchase by guests not travelling onboard our tours.
What is the minimum number of passengers required in order to operate?
A minimum of six people is required to operate our 3-Day Red Centre Tour. Our maximum number of passengers carried on this tour will be 21 passengers. In the event that a tour is cancelled due to insufficient passenger numbers being met, we will transfer all monies paid for your departure.
What kind of vehicle do we travel in for this Red Centre Outback Adventure tour?
We have a fleet of all-terrain 4×4 tour buses, uniquely designed to handle the harshest of terrains and off-road tracks in the most comfort possible. The maximum number of passengers we carry on these tours is 15-21 people, with a minimum requirement of 6 people to guarantee the departure. Fleet specs Isuzu N Series NPS300 Trucks (15, 17, 21-seater). In the unlikely event of a breakdown, alternative vehicles may be used.
Is it safe to travel in Australia’s outback? (Acceptance of Risk)
Australia is home to many dangerous creatures, extreme weather conditions, and varied terrain. Experiencing these dangers while camping, hiking, or passing time outside may increase your personal risk. Safety is our number one priority, and our guides are highly trained to ensure passenger safety at all times. As long as you follow the instructions of the guide then the chances of you returning home safe are high. Get Lost Travel Pty Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss, injury, or accident caused by passengers onboard Autopia Tours. In the Red Centre, children must be at least 6 years old for day trips and 8 years old for overnight tours. Children under the age of 18 must always be accompanied by an adult, legal guardian, or caregiver. Despite all care being taken, the responsibility for children on tour lies entirely with their parents or caregivers. Passengers, including children, must wear shoes, sunscreen, and hats at all times.
What is the most dangerous thing in the outback?
While snakes and spiders are at the forefront of most peoples minds, it is actually the weather that causes the most visits to the medical centre. It can be hot and extremely dry in the outback and dehydration can happen quickly, just by talking you are dehydrating. Medical professionals and Parks Australia recommend you drink at least 1 litre of water per hour of activity that you are doing. Our guides drink 4-5 litres per day in the red centre to give you a guide of what you should be drinking. If you start to get a headache, feel unwell or faint, have a dry mouth or feel unreasonably irritable, you may be suffering from dehydration. Speak to your guide, they carry hydration aids for such situations. Failing to take action early can result in hospitalisation or in severe circumstances it can lead to death.
What is your Vaccination Policy?
In accordance with current Government regulations, it is no longer a requirement to be double vaccinated, although we do highly recommend it.
What if I need to cancel my tour?
We understand that travel plans can sometimes change, if you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only take effect when we receive written confirmation that you have sent to your relevant booking agent notifying them of your cancellation.
If you wish to change or cancel your trip
(a) 0 to 14 days before the departure date or failure to board on tour
● will result in a 100% cancellation fee / full fare forfeiture of the ticket price and not eligible for a refund; or
(b) 15+ days prior to the departure
● we will refund the full balance paid by you in connection with your booking; or
● flexible date changes – unlimited supply of free date changes available; or
● Alternatively, we can issue a credit voucher for the amount paid to travel on another day
Any credit travel voucher resulting from a cancellation under (Cancellation by the Traveller) has an expiry date of 3 years and may be applied towards any other available trip offered by us. This credit is transferable on experiences, however not redeemable for cash. Note different cancellation conditions may apply if/when booked through third party agents, your travel consultant will advise if differences apply. We strongly advise travellers to take out personal cancellation insurance at the time of booking.
Can I join a tour last minute?
Sometimes you can jump on last minute, but it’s best to book in advance to avoid missing out on your preferred dates. Especially in peak season as tours book out quickly. If you find yourself wanting to book a last minute tour it is best to call our reservations team on 08 6244 2065 and speak directly with them to confirm details.
If I book a Swag tour and want to upgrade to a tent on tour, can I?
Yes! Sometimes sleeping in a swag can become overwhelming once you are in the outback, especially for children. If this is the case, speak to your guide and they can help you to upgrade into a tent for a small cost. Please note that there might only be a Twin Share tent available at late notice.
Alternatively, if you decide prior to departure that you would like to upgrade, our reservations team can help you upgrade. PLease email our reservations team and they will gladly assist with this.
Can I be dropped off in Yulara after the tour?
The departure point is Alice Springs. If you wish to return to Yulara/Ayres Rock Airport/ Ayres Rock Resort in the following days our reservations team can advise you on how to book a shuttle bus with one of our partners at an additional cost.
Contact Us
All reservations must be reconfirmed within 72 hours prior to departure via email to [email protected].
